O'Shea progress rewarded

John O'Shea's progress with Manchester United FC has been rewarded with a place in the Republic of Ireland squad for their first competitive game of the season.

O'Shea promotion
Manager Mick McCarthy has named a 22-man squad for the UEFA 2004 European Championship qualifying match against Russia in Moscow on 7 September, and O'Shea has been moved up to the senior ranks from the Under-21 squad.

Babb recall
There is also a recall for Phil Babb of Sunderland AFC. The defender has not played for Ireland since an incident outside a Dublin nightclub before the FIFA World Cup qualifier against the Netherlands in September 2000, but injuries to Andy O'Brien (Newcastle United FC) and Richard Dunne (Manchester City FC) have earned him another chance.

Republic of Ireland squad
Given, Kiely, Colgan, Harte, Breen, Kelly, Cunningham, Finnan, O'Shea, Babb, McAteer, Holland, Kilbane, Healy, Kinsella, Carsley, Delap, McPhail, Robbie Keane, Duff, Morrison, Doherty